Taxi licence

Contents

  1. Getting a taxi licence
  2. Driver renewals
  3. Vehicle licences

Getting a taxi licence

Before a licence is granted, the Council must be satisfied that you are:

  • eligible to work in the UK
  • DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) checked
  • aware of your tax responsibilities
  • medically fit

Once a DBS has been received and a decision to grant a licence has been made, you must:

  • pass a knowledge test
  • complete the 
  • supply a medical note from a GP who has access to your records

A licence will then be granted.

A licence for drivers of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles will only be granted when the Council is satisfied that the applicant is a 'fit and proper' person to hold such a licence.

The Council has adopted a policy which provides guidance relating to the relevance of convictions to determine if an applicant is suitable.

For more information, see Â鶹ÊÓƵ Taxi and Private Hire Policy. 

Application process

You must submit your application in person and you will need to provide the following:

  • a right to work document - see 
  • a completed application form
  • a DVLA 'check code' - available from 
  • a DBS reference number - see  (with registration to the )
  • 3 forms of identification (one of which must be your DVLA driving licence in your current address)
  • the licence fee

First-time applicants must confirm that they are aware of their tax responsibilities.

Please read the guidance at  and sign the relevant section on the application form supplied in the pack.

Information and full guidance on applying for a licence is included in an application pack which will be sent out to you.

To request the application pack, please email licensing@southtyneside.gov.uk with your name and address.

Support

TEDCO can offer you free support when applying for your taxi licence. This support includes:

  • guiding you through the application process
  • registering your business with HMRC
  • 1-2-1 advice
  • business workshops and seminars

For more information visit the .

Cost

The fee is variable and depends on the type and duration of the licence.

A 1 year or 3 year licence is available.

Apply for a Taxi (Hackney Carriage) Drivers Licence

Apply for a Taxi (Hackney Carriage) Drivers Licence

Driver renewals

Renewal forms and full instructions, will be sent out to you automatically.

You will need to email the following to licensing@southtyneside.gov.uk:

  • Renewal form (including details of your  and  share codes)
  • DVLA driving licence (front and back)
  • Medical clearance (if required) from a GP who has access to your records
  •  share code (if required)
  • Confirmation that you have completed the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) refresher course

The fee can be paid by debit or credit card by calling 0191 427 2615.

Please submit your application in advance of your expiry date. Your badge and licence will be posted out to you.

If you need to apply for a DBS (Police Check) or submit a right to work share code you must attend the taxi office in person with your ID documents.

Tax conditionality check

From the 4 April 2022, you will need to complete a tax check if you're:

  • renewing a licence
  • applying for the same type of licence you previously held, and that stopped being valid less than a year ago
  • applying for the same type of licence you already hold with another licensing authority

You must carry out the tax check yourself. You cannot ask a tax agent or adviser to do this on your behalf.

The tax check will ask questions about how you pay any tax that may be due on income you earn from your licenced trade.

After you have completed the tax check you will be given a 9-character tax check code.

You will need this code for your application form - this will confirm you have carried out a tax check.

We cannot accept your application if you do not supply a tax check code.

What a tax check is

A tax check confirms that you're registered for tax. After you complete the tax check you'll be given a code.

Tax check codes expire after 120 days.

Vehicle licence

Before a vehicle is licenced it must meet certain criteria based on suitability laid down by the law and the Council.

The fee is variable depending on the type and duration of the licence.

A 6 or 12 month licence is available.

Financial support may be available if you change your current petrol / diesel vehicle to an all electric or hybrid vehicle. You may also qualify for a grant towards the installation cost of an EV home charger. Please contact Licensing on 0191 424 7695 for further details.

Apply for a new vehicle licence

Please contact the Licensing team on 0191 427 2615 to arrange an appointment for a vehicle inspection pre-check.

Renew your vehicle licence

You can renew your vehicle licence by emailing the following to licensing@southtyneside.gov.uk:

  • Renewal form(s)
  • Log book
  • Insurance
  • MOT (issued within the last month)

To book a test please call the Licensing team as soon as you receive your renewal reminder. We do not accept private MOT's.

The fee can be paid by debit or credit card - contact the Licensing team on 0191 427 2615.

Please submit your application in advance of your expiry date.

Your plate and permit will be posted out to you.

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